Study: Effects of Bockshorn clover on hormone changes and sexual function in healthy men
Study: Effects of Bockshorn clover on hormone changes and sexual function in healthy men
Reference
Rao A, Steels E, Indian WJ, Abraham S, Vitetta L. Testofen, a specialized trigonella foenum graecum seed extract, reduces age-related symptoms of and androgen, increases testosterone levels and improves sexual function in healthy age in a double-blind attempt randomized clinical study. aging man . 2016; 19 (2): 134-142.
Design
double -blind, randomized, placebo -controlled study that was carried out between February and November 2014 in Brisbane, Australia,
Intervention
The active treatment was standardized Bockshorn clover ( trigonella foenum-graecum ) seed extract in a dose of 600 mg/day.
primary result measurements
The primary endpoint was the change in the questionnaire to the male symptoms of aging (AMS), a measure of possible androgen lack of symptoms. Secondary endpoints were the sexual function and serum testosterone.
participant
Healthy middle -aged men (n = 120). The test subjects were excluded from the study when they
- in which erectile dysfunction or a physical disability was diagnosed that can restrict sexual function,
- In the past 6 months, treatment/therapy (including testosterone or anabolic steroids) for a sexual disorder,
- an anticoagulation therapy was prescribed,
- levodopa against Parkinson's disease or calcipotria against psoriasis,
- in which a severe kidney and/or liver sufficiency was diagnosed,
- in which anatomical malformations were diagnosed in the genital area or showed abnormal secondary gender characteristics,
- had uncontrolled diabetes mellitus,
- had a history of spinal cord injuries or serious psychiatric disorders,
- in which prostate cancer or benign prostate hypertrophy were diagnosed,
- had an acute urogenital disorder or genital operation in the history,
- had a current or past history of chronic alcohol and/or drug abuse,
- had a suspected or diagnosed chickpea allergy, or
- currently participate in another study or have participated in another clinical study in the last 30 days.
important knowledge
Both overall testosterone ( p <0.001) and free testosterone ( p = 0.002) rose in men who consumed Bockshorn clover seeds compared to the control group in week 12.
In addition, the use of Bockshorn cloverame extract was associated with an overall favorable sexual function in the treatment group compared to placebo if the derogatis interview for sexual functioning-self report was used ( p = 0.006).
were analyzed as numerous sexual subdomains, further improvements were observed in the treatment group, in particular sexual excitation ( p = 0.001), sex drive/relationship ( p = 0.007), number of weekly erection from 1 per week to 2 to 3 per week ( p = 0.001) and sexual activity from 1 to 2 Sometimes a month to almost once a week ( p = 0.004). No changes were observed in the subdoman sexual cognition, sexual behavior and orgasm.
Finally, the AMS showed a significant difference over time ( p <0.001) and a significant difference between the groups ( p = 0.013), for the AMS total value
After treatment with Bockshorn cloverame extract, no changes in the BMI, the waist-hip ratio, the grip thickness, the DHEA, the andrust dating, the estradiol or liver function were observed. The herbal medicine was well tolerated, although it was connected to a headache in <5 % of the subjects.
practice implications
Almost 5 % of all men-and 20 % of men over 70-have a low serum testosterone level (ie male hypogonadism). 1 In addition, up to a third of the men with a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and obesity in hypogonadism, which defines free testosterone in serum is. 2
male hypogonadism is associated with a number of health problems, including an increased risk of metabolic syndrome, reduced cognition and osteoporosis. Some data indicate that low serum T levels, paradoxically, can be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.
In adult men, hypogonadal symptoms can range from reduced libido and sexual performance to muscle loss and reduction in bone mineral density. Infertility, loss of body hair and incomplete sexual development can also be clinical symptoms. Depression, sleep disorders, light anemia, fatigue or weight gain can be less specific but frequently described.
If there are clinical symptoms, the aim of the integrative doctor is to seek appropriate testosterone levels according to the possible causes of the inability of the patient. The total T-level should be the first measurement that is carried out to determine the hypogonadic state. Blood acceptance should take place between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. to ensure that a top value is recorded because daytime fluctuations occur in T-production. The free T-levels and the sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) should also be determined to determine the available T-levels.
Many factors can cause changes in the SHBG concentration. (Table) 5
Table: Factors that influence the SHBG concentration
| increase | reduce | |
| aging | ✔ | |
| liver cirrhosis | ✔ | |
| anticonvulsiva | ✔ | |
| estrogen | ✔ | |
| hyperthyroidism | ✔ | |
| hiv | ✔ | |
| malnutrition/malabsorption | ✔ | |
| hypothyroidism | ✔ | |
| obesity/metabolic syndrome | ✔ | |
| Type 2 diabetes | ✔ | |
| nephrotic syndrome | ✔ | |
| glucocorticoids | ✔ | |
| Gestagenes | ✔ | |
| anabolicic | ✔ |
When the testosterone level is low again, other laboratory measurements should be carried out, including for luteinizing hormone and follicle -stimulating hormone. These stimulating hormones help doctors determine whether identified hypogonadism is primary or secondary nature.
certain medicines can also suppress T-production. These include opioids, 6 glucocorticoids, 7 and statins. 8
What if low serum t levels remain after the root of the problem has been tackled?
The treatment of low testosterone with exogenous hormones is popular these days because many men try to "stay young" while the calendar years accumulate. Exogenous hormones (also known as bioidentical hormones) are only a reasonable approach for some men if other natural and lifestyle treatment options are exhausted.
A prudent approach in the treatment of hypogonadal men with naturopathy and lifestyle medicine includes the correct use of plant substances. Unfortunately, naturopaths with the use of plant substances are usually at a loss, since well -designed studies on androgenic herbs are rare.
The current work by Rao et al. Supports the clinical use of Bockshorn clover extract (test oven) with 600 mg per day as a reasonable option for hypogonadal men, either alone or in combination with natural SHBG inhibitors before turning out exogenous hormones.
- SIETEL AD. Male hypogonadism. Part I: Epidemiology of Hypogonadism. intj impot res . 2006; 18: 115-120.
- Wang C, Jackson G, Jones Th, et al. Low testosterone levels related to obesity and metabolic syndrome contributes to sexual dysfunction and the risk of cardiovascular diseases in men with type 2 diabetes. diabetes treatment . 2011; 34 (7): 1669-1675.
- XYLINAS E., Ploussard G., Durand X., et al. A low overall testosterone before treatment (<3 ng/ml) predicts an extra -prostatic disease in prostate samples of patients with preoperative localized prostate cancer. bju int . 2011; 107 (9): 1400-1403.
- Bhasin S, Cunningham Gr, Hayes FJ, et al. Testosterone therapy in adults with androgen lack of androgen syndromes: a clinical practice guideline of endocrine society. j clin endocrinol metab . 2006; 91 (6): 1995-2010.
- bazaaria S. male hypoganism. lanzette . 2014; 383 (9924): 1250-1263.
- vuong C, van uum sh, o’dell le, lutfy k, Friedman tc. The effects of opioids and opioid analoga on animal and human endocrine systems. endocr rev . 2010; 31 (1): 98-132.
- Macadams MR, White Rh, Chipps BE. Reduction of serum testosterone levels during chronic glucocorticoid therapy. ann internal med . 1986; 104 (5): 648-651.
- School education cm, au Yeung SL, Freeman G, Cowling Bj. The effect of statins on testosterone in men and women, a systematic review and meta -analysis of randomized controlled studies. bmc med . 2013; 11: 57.